Week 2 Fantasy Football Starts And Sits- Wide Receivers

DeVonta Smith is one of many big-time players who disappointed in week one, but he is a prime candidate to bounce back.

The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who were the league’s best run defense last season from a fantasy points per game standpoint. That elite run defense carried over into their week one game against the Los Angeles Chargers, as they held Omarion Hampton to 48 yards on 15 carries. The Chiefs did, however, get lit up by Justin Herbert and the passing game, and that bodes well for the Eagles air attack.

Additionally, Smith has an elite track record against the Chiefs. In four career games against Kansas City, he averages 8 targets, 6 receptions, and 97.5 yards a game. His worst statistical performance against the Chiefs came in last year’s Super Bowl, where he had 4 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. Smith shows out in this matchup, and he is perfectly set up for a bounce-back.

Start- Jakobi Meyers Vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Jakobi Meyers is just a really good player. He isn’t flashy, but he gets the job done and is seemingly always open. Against the New England Patriots, he had 8 catches for 97 yards, and he was Geno Smith’s favorite target. Going up against the Los Angeles Chargers this week, Meyers should have another solid outing with a lot of volume.

In two games against the Chargers last year, Meyers averaged 6 receptions for 92 yards, and that was with poor quarterback play. Now with a massive upgrade at quarterback, he should see even more success in a match-up that he has thrived in.

Last week, the Chargers defense showed that they are vulnerable against receivers, as Hollywood Brown had 10 receptions for 99 yards, and Juju Smith-Schuster had 5 catches for 55 yards. In a game that could see a lot of fireworks, the Raiders will need to put up points, and Meyers should be a featured piece of the passing attack in a solid matchup.

Start- Ricky Pearsall Vs. New Orleans Saints

Ricky Pearsall is coming off a strong week one performance in which he had 4 catches for 108 yards on 7 targets. That was against a Seattle Seahawks defense that has the makings of an elite unit. This week, he gets to take on the New Orleans Saints, who allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to receivers last season. But that isn’t the main reason he is on this list.

The 49ers were already thin at pass catcher before George Kittle was placed on injured reserve, and Jauan Jennings got banged up. Pearsall is seemingly the only healthy pass catcher on the roster, and that should lead to a plethora of targets.

The one reason for concern with Pearsall this week is the uncertainty surrounding Brock Purdy’s status, but backup quarterback Mac Jones has shown he can support a number-one receiver. Just last season, Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 9.5 targets, 6 receptions, and 76.2 yards per game across ten games with Jones under center in Jacksonville. So, while not having Purdy could cause some concern, Pearsall should see plenty of targets regardless of who is under center.

Sit- Michael Pittman Jr. Vs Denver Broncos

Michael Pittman Jr. had a very strong outing in the team’s week one domination of the Miami Dolphins. He had 6 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, and was clearly the favorite wide receiver to target for Daniel Jones. Unfortunately for Pittman and the Indianapolis Colts, they don’t have as great a match-up as they did last week, as they take on the Denver Broncos this week.

Denver’s defense single-handedly won them their week one game against the Tennessee Titans, and they completely shut down Cam Ward and the passing attack. Pittman will draw Patrick Surtain II this week, and he is coming off a game where he locked up Calvin Ridley. He is one of the premier corners in the NFL, and a matchup to avoid for fantasy receivers. Pittman will likely draw Surtain, as he almost always lines up on the outside, and that is where the Broncos star defensive back plays.

It already looks like Pittman will outperform expectations this season, but this isn’t a week where he should do so, and given his draft position, managers should have other options to play this week.

Sit- Calvin Ridley Vs. Los Angeles Rams

The time will come when Calvin Ridley is a startable fantasy asset, but it is not this week. The Los Angeles Rams defense just dominated the Houston Texans for 60 minutes, holding them to just nine points. In addition to limiting them to just nine points, they shut down star receiver Nico Collins in the process. The Rams defensive line wrecked the game, and they should do the same this week.

The Tennessee Titans offensive line was abused by the Denver Broncos defense, and it led to a very frustrating day for Cam Ward and the offense. Calvin Ridley had just 4 catches for 27 yards due to the dismantling of the offense, and if that occurs again this week, he will likely be limited once again. Ward looked good when he had time to throw, but when he was under pressure, things quickly broke down.

When the Titans have more favorable matchups, Ridley will be a strong start, as he will see plenty of targets, but until then, keep him on the bench.

Sit- Keon Coleman Vs. New York Jets

Keon Coleman is coming off a phenomenal game, which saw him take over in the fourth quarter during the Buffalo Bills comeback win. He was the go-to target for Josh Allen late in the game when Buffalo needed to make a play. It was great to see Coleman be such a difference maker, but he shouldn’t be expected to be a weekly wide receiver one.

The Bills were playing from behind for the entire game, and they were down by two scores in the fourth quarter. The game script forced Buffalo to pass the ball more than they usually would, and that led to a strong game for Coleman. This week against the Jets, the Bills should be able to comfortably control the game, meaning they won’t have to throw the ball as much. The former Florida State star should be the main target for Josh Allen, but the passing volume shouldn’t be the same. Additionally, he will likely have to deal with star cornerback Suace Gardner, who can certainly cause problems for Coleman.

Coleman is still startable, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t see the volume he saw in last week’s game.

End Of My Fantasy Football Starts And Sits Rant

Finding the right receivers to start is key because they are the most volatile players in fantasy football. The range of outcomes is wide since there are so many mouths to feed in every offense. For this week, these are the players who are set up for success, or in some cases, disappointment compared to expectations.

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